Thanks for commenting folks, its appreciated. Glad you like them enough to say so.

So here is a question for you: Can you say why you like those shots in particular? It may sound daft but I'm trying to learn what it is that makes an image good enough for someone to think that. How much is composition, how much is content?

So here is a question for you: Can you say why you like those shots in particular? It may sound daft but I'm trying to learn what it is that makes an image good enough for someone to think that. How much is composition, how much is content?

It is 95% composition and 5% content.* I agree with the above posters that the best shots are the hammer guy and the feet. The hammer guy is interesting because you have action and because you composed the shot so that you are showing just what is needed to convey the action - there is no empty wasted space. Likewise the feet are interesting because there is a lot of interesting detail (the curled toes, the ankle bracelet and the texture of the wood etc.) and again you composed to just get the interesting stuff and don't have empty space.

OK it isn't really 95/5. It is actually 31% composition, 31% lighting, 31% timing and 7% subject. A good photographer should be able to make (not just take) a good photo of any subject. The key is to think about what is interesting about the scene and then work out what needs to be in the picture (and what doesn't) in order to convey that interest.

There are a whole bunch of guidelines for better composition. Filling the frame is one that I mentioned above. Others include the rule of thirds and leading lines.... There are a bunch of articles on photo composition at http://photoinf.com/. Alternatively see if you can find a course that focuses on composition. I recently did a short three day workshop and it transformed my photography.

PS I noticed that you went to Galle/The Galle Fort. I was in Sri Lanka at Christmas and got some great photos. It's an amazing place.

_________________Dan Marchant
I am learning photo graphee - see the results at www.danmarchant.com